[Resilience of male middle managers in Company A when facing difficulties in performing their duties].

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify aspects of resilience in male middle managers working for Company A and to explore occupational health activities and nursing support to improve workers' mental health.

Methods: An inductive approach was applied for qualitative data analysis. Semi-structured interviews with ten male middle managers working for Company A with at least one year of managerial experience. The data were analyzed using the Modified Grounded Theory Approach.

Results: Participating male middle managers displayed "manifestations of distress" related to "workplace difficulties", and obtained relief from distress by securing "support for themselves at work" and developing "self-care strategies". In their process to establish "positivity regarding their service as a manager," including achieving impacts they can be proud of and acquiring and demonstrating resilience, participating managers acquired skills to "work well in their own way" through and , and developed skills/qualities allowing them to be "a good manager."

Conclusions: The development of resilience in male middle managers is a process that involves 1) experiencing temporary physical or mental challenges related to workplace difficulties, recovering and developing through intrinsic strengths and support from people around them, 2) adapting their working style as they acquire new skills in the process, and 3) enhancing managerial competence, ultimately fostering a positive view of their managerial role. This study identified four categories: "facing difficulties in the workplace, meeting personal needs, developing an effective individual managerial style," and "evolving into a good manager." These categories reveal a process of recovery and adaptation leading to "establishment of a positive view of one's role as a manager," supported by "meeting personal needs in the workplace" and synergistically influenced by multiple factors. The findings show that the "establishment of a positive view of one's role as a manager" is a series of processes through which male middle managers develop their managerial potential to contribute to organizational resilience and energy. To promote resilience, our findings suggest the importance of addressing individual and organizational concerns, such as systematically building an educational framework that integrates career support with self-care for managers responsible for line care, and recommending improvements to workplace environments.